Available for new engagements

The CFO who has built
finance functions for
DTC brands, gaming studios,
and global operators
on three continents.

Big 4 trained. Triple qualified. I embed as your Fractional CFO and build the financial infrastructure that lets ambitious companies scale with control and investor confidence.

Book a Discovery Call Explore Services
$29M+
Capital Raised
16 yrs
Global Experience
3
Continents
Big 4
KPMG Trained
Syed Ibn-e-Ali
Syed Ibn-e-Ali
CA · CPA (UK) · IPA Australia
Open to engagements
Poo Pourri● Solawave● GKHair● StyleDoubler● Galaxy Racer● Streamline Media Group● FAHM Technology Partners● Rocket Internet● KPMG● MDEC
Poo Pourri● Solawave● GKHair● StyleDoubler● Galaxy Racer● Streamline Media Group● FAHM Technology Partners● Rocket Internet● KPMG● MDEC
Portfolio by Industry

Seven industries.
One consistent standard.

A career spent inside real businesses across DTC, entertainment, SaaS, technology, education, and the social sector. Each vertical required a different financial architecture. I have built all of them.

🛍
DTC and Consumer Brands
Consumer and eCommerce

Close cycle optimisation, inventory reconciliation, multi-channel contribution margin, ERP implementation, and capital raise support for consumer brands operating across DTC, Amazon, and retail.

Poo Pourri Solawave GKHair Rocket Internet Lazada Foodpanda Daraz
🎮
Entertainment and Creator Economy
Gaming and Media

Production finance, cross-border IP structures, milestone billing, and commercial partnerships at scale. Credits on titles released globally across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms.

Galaxy Racer StyleDoubler Netflix collab Tencent collab LaLiga collab Yahoo Japan Group
🕹
SaaS and Gaming Production
Streamline Media Group

Built the finance function for a globally distributed AAA games studio across the US and Malaysia. Reduced operational costs by 34 percent and cut the close cycle from 25 days to 9.

Street Fighter V and VI Final Fantasy XV Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty Armored Core VI Little Nightmares
💻
IT Services and SaaS
FAHM Technology Partners

CFO across 5 SaaS and technology entities in the US and Canada. SR and ED claims, US and Canadian tax compliance, IFRS 15 and ASC 606 revenue recognition, multi-entity financial operations.

FAHM Technology Partners Uptown Montessori Babul Hawaij Trust US and Canada Operations
🎓
Education
Uptown Montessori

Finance governance for an educational institution, covering compliance, payroll, budgeting, and financial reporting within the FAHM Technology Partners group structure.

Uptown Montessori Educational Governance Institutional Finance
🕌
Social and Faith Sector
Babul Hawaij Trust

Trust governance, fund management, and financial oversight for a faith-based charitable organisation. Compliance, transparency, and donor reporting within a values-led structure.

Babul Hawaij Trust Charitable Governance Fund Management
What I Offer

Core services for
founders who are serious about finance.

Whether you need a CFO for a few days a month or someone to build your entire finance function from scratch, the engagement model is built around your stage.

Most Popular
01
Fractional CFO

C-suite financial leadership on a retainer. I own your financial strategy, investor reporting, and capital structure so you can focus on growth.

  • Financial strategy and board reporting
  • Fundraising and investor relations
  • Cash flow and working capital management
  • IFRS, GAAP and multi-jurisdiction compliance
  • M and A due diligence and deal structuring
02
Finance Function Build-Out

Many growing companies have outsourced or neglected their finance infrastructure. I bring it in-house, build the team, implement the right systems, and set up processes that scale.

  • In-house finance team design and recruitment
  • ERP implementation including NetSuite, Xero and QuickBooks
  • Close cycle optimisation
  • Chart of accounts and accounting policy setup
  • Inventory reconciliation for product businesses
03
Capital Raise and Investor Readiness

I have supported over $29M in equity and debt raises. I build the financial models, prepare the data rooms, and ensure your numbers hold up under institutional scrutiny.

  • Financial model build and stress-testing
  • Investor deck financial narrative
  • Data room preparation and due diligence support
  • Post-close financial infrastructure setup
04
Finance Recruitment

The right finance hire changes everything. I identify, assess, and place controllers, FP and A analysts, and finance managers who fit your stage and culture.

  • Role definition and competency mapping
  • Candidate sourcing and assessment
  • CFO, VP Finance and Controller searches
  • Interim coverage during the search period
Specialist Services

For companies setting up in Malaysia and Southeast Asia

These services are specific to companies entering or operating in Malaysia, drawing on my experience as a Residence Pass Talent holder, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation expert panelist, and someone who has structured entities across six SEA markets.

Company Incorporation and Entity Structuring

Investor-ready, tax-efficient entity structures across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Registrations

Malaysia Digital status applications, eligibility assessment, and direct MDEC liaison. I am a Committee Member and Judge on the MDEC Talent Expert Network, appointed by the Corporation.

Residence Pass Talent (RP-T) Applications

End-to-end RP-T application support for qualifying professionals. I hold the pass myself and have been through the full process firsthand.

What Leaders Say

A word from the CEO
of StyleDoubler.

"

It was a privilege to collaborate with Ibne, who served as our Group CFO and masterfully managed the financials for our portfolio of companies. He brought sharp strategic insight, an unwavering work ethic, natural leadership, and most importantly, uncompromising integrity that earned complete trust from the board, investors, and team alike.

Ibne combines technical excellence with the rare ability to translate complex numbers into actionable business strategies, always prioritising ethical standards and transparency in every decision. He is a reliable, talented CFO of the highest integrity who delivers results. I would work with him again in a heartbeat and highly recommend him to any forward-thinking organisation.

ER
Eetu Raudas
CEO, StyleDoubler · Yahoo Japan Group-backed · January 2026
About

Built in Big 4.
Tested across three continents.

I started at KPMG, where I led audit, tax advisory, and financial consulting assignments across government bodies, listed companies, international nonprofits, and major banks. That foundation shaped how I think about numbers: rigorous, no shortcuts, accountable at every level.

As Fractional Controller at Poo Pourri, I cut their monthly close cycle from 22 days to 7 in three months, a record the CFO announced publicly. At Solawave, I rebuilt their financial model from scratch after the previous model's inaccuracies led to the prior CFO's departure, then supported a $6M capital raise and led their NetSuite implementation as project lead.

At GKHair, I ran finance across 5 entities in 4 countries. At Streamline Media Group, I reduced operational costs by 34 percent and shortened the close cycle from 25 days to 9. At Galaxy Racer, I managed the CFO seat for the entire Southeast Asia region with partnerships spanning Netflix, Tencent, LaLiga, and Walt Disney. At StyleDoubler, I run finance across 7 legal entities in 6 countries, reporting directly to a Yahoo Japan Group investor.

I am Big 4 trained, triple qualified as CA, CPA (UK), and IPA Australia, and I have raised over $29M in equity and debt across my career. I work with founders who want a CFO who has actually done the hard thing at companies they recognise.

CA
Chartered Accountant
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
CPA
Associate CPA (UK)
Certified Public Accountants Association · Cert 273109116A
IPA
Member IPA Australia
Institute of Public Accountants · Cert 323940
🏆
Controller of the Year 2022
Coxociety and Digital CFO · Across 6 countries
🎤
CFO Malaysia Symposium · Speaker 2022
Convergence of CFO and CIO Roles
🇲🇾
MDEC Talent Expert Network · Committee Member and Judge
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation · Appointed to evaluate and validate industry training and talent development standards
The Foundation

Big 4 rigour.
Institutional-scale assignments.

My career began at KPMG where I spent over four years across audit, tax advisory, and financial consulting. The assignments were not starter work. They included national government bodies, international humanitarian organisations, listed energy companies, and major financial institutions.

At KPMG I built the habits that have defined every role since: prepare thoroughly, document everything, never confuse a number you like with one you can defend, and always ask what the evidence actually says. Those four years shaped everything that came after.

The breadth of assignments was unusual. In the same period I was auditing UNOCHA and Mercy Corps, I was also auditing OGDCL and the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, and preparing internal audit frameworks for Pakistan's Securities and Exchange Commission. That range of exposure at an early stage built a kind of institutional fluency that no single-sector career can replicate.

I conducted investigation and special audits, provided tax advisory services to numerous listed and non-listed clients, handled statutory compliance and corporate filings, and led the implementation of Oracle Financials for SECP. The Internal Audit Manual I prepared for the Sindh Revenue Board remained in operational use for years after the engagement.

International Nonprofits and Humanitarian Organisations
UNOCHA · UNHCR · Mercy Corps · Mercy Pak · Islamic Relief Fund · Development in Literacy · Agha Khan Cultural Support Programme · Agha Khan Rural Support Programme · Oxfam
Listed and Energy Companies
OGDCL · TransAsia Refinery · Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline · NLC Izhar Construction · Askari Bank · Marriott Hotel
Government and Regulatory Bodies
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) · Implemented Oracle Financials system and prepared financial SOPs · Sindh Revenue Board · Prepared Internal Audit Manual
Advisory and Specialist Work
Investigation audits and special assignments · Tax consultancy and filings for listed and non-listed clients · Financial statement preparation · Corporate and statutory filings · Internal audit assignments
Track Record

Results that
speak for themselves.

"

Cut the monthly close cycle at Poo Pourri from 22 days to 7 in three months. A record improvement recognised publicly by the CFO. The result came from rebuilding the entire close process including accrual schedules, reconciliation workflows, and cross-team deadline alignment.

Poo Pourri · Fractional Controller
"

Rebuilt Solawave's financial model from scratch after the previous model's inaccuracies led to the prior CFO's departure. The revised model supported a $6M capital raise. Also led the NetSuite ERP implementation and brought the finance function fully in-house for the first time.

Solawave · Fractional Controller
"

Currently running financial strategy across 7 legal entities in 6 countries as Interim Group CFO at StyleDoubler, a Yahoo Japan Group-backed company. Responsible for all board reporting, investor relations, and multi-entity treasury consolidation.

StyleDoubler · Interim Group CFO · 2025 to Present
How It Works

From first call to
full integration.

01
Discovery
A 60-minute conversation mapping your current state, gaps, and goals. No commitment, full candour about whether I am the right fit.
02
Diagnostic
I assess your financial infrastructure, team, and compliance posture, then deliver a written findings report with prioritised recommendations.
03
Engagement Design
We agree on scope, cadence, and outcomes. Flexible retainer or project-based, built around your stage and budget.
04
Embedded Execution
I work as part of your leadership team, inside your tools and your meetings, accountable to your board and your business goals.
Where I Work

Global reach.
Real in-market knowledge.

I work remotely with clients across the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Where the work requires local knowledge, I have it firsthand rather than at arm's length.

🇺🇸
United States
DTC · SaaS · Tax
🇨🇦
Canada
SR and ED · Tax
🇫🇮
Finland
EU Operations
🇲🇾
Malaysia
HQ Base · MDEC
🇸🇬
Singapore
Holding Structures
🇮🇩
Indonesia
Operations
🇹🇭
Thailand
Operations
🇵🇭
Philippines
Operations
Let's Talk

Ready to get your finance function
working as hard as you do?

Whether you are pre-seed or Series B, scaling a DTC brand or entering Southeast Asia for the first time, let's find out if we are the right fit.

Email Me Directly Connect on LinkedIn

ca.ibneali88@yahoo.com · ibneali.com · linkedin.com/in/ibneshah